Agustín Canapino will race in the IndyCar class in the 2023 season for the Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) team.
The 32-year-old will drive the team’s No. 78 Dallara Chevrolet and partner Callum Ilott of Great Britain in what will be the team’s expansion to include two drivers.
Canabino will be the first driver from Argentina to contest a full season in America’s premier single-seater series since Juan Manuel Fangio II drove in the IndyCar Series 25 years ago.
“For me, this is a great opportunity, so I am very grateful to Ricardo Juncos, Brad Hollinger, Circuito de Termas de Rio Hondo and all the sponsors who make it possible,” Canabino said. “I will do my best at all times to get the best possible results.”
“My mind is set on learning and going step by step, but I also focus on developing throughout the season. The goal is to finish in races, to get to know the car and the tracks, especially the ovals.”
Canabino is one of the most successful drivers from Argentina and has moved up to the NTT INDYCAR Series after winning 15 National Championships in his home country, winning numerous titles in the Super TC2000, Top Race V6 and Turismo Carretera classes. He also enjoyed a successful association with Chevrolet during his career and will continue that relationship with JHR, which uses Chevrolet engines in its intakes.
He has prior experience as a JHR driver, having raced for the Indianapolis-based team in 2019 when he was part of the Cadillac DPi in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Sebring 12 Hours.
Cannabino got his first taste of the current generation of INDYCAR Series cars when he successfully completed a private test with JHR last October at Sebring International Raceway.
1:36
Agustín Canapino: “IndyCar is the most challenging and competitive class in the world”
The Argentine, who will go down in the American class with Ricardo Juncos’ team, spoke about his new step in motorsport.
“Indycar is the most competitive and tough class in the world, and the cars are the most demanding and require the utmost effort and preparation on my part.”Canabino said. “I am happy to take on this challenge, motivated to perform well and reward those who trusted me with this opportunity.”
3:28
Agustín Canapino: “I take this very calmly”
The Argentine knows the process of joining IndyCar will have its own learning phase, and team owner Ricardo Juncos has explained how difficult the first year can be for a rookie.
Canapino’s arrival ensures that NTT INDYCAR SERIES will have 27 full-time driver/car pairs in 2023, the most since the 2011 season. It also marks a significant milestone in the growth of the JHR team.
“Being able to break this news today is incredible for me and my team,” said Ricardo Juncos, JHR Founder and Team Principal. “It’s been over 20 years since I came to North American motorsports. It’s been a long road of constant hard work that I’ve been making different dreams come true, and seeing this particular dream is really incredible.
“After a full analysis of each driver’s choice we had to drive our No. 78 car, we made the decision that Agustín Canapino was the right choice. Brad (Hollinger) and I have complete confidence in his ability.
“With a successful racing career in Argentina behind him, he exceeded all expectations when he trained at Sebring and confirmed that talent with what we have seen from his driving since.”
Team co-owner Brad Hollinger said: “Callum showed great potential during his inaugural 2022 campaign as he wowed the field with his blistering pace while learning every clue. Partnering Agustín with Callum gives Juncos Hollinger Racing a group of extremely talented drivers. Agustín brings an unparalleled level of Success for the team in different racing series His exceptional adaptability and the great experience he has gained from winning multiple championships will complement Callum and the team very well.
“We look forward to racing at the top of the stock this year with the goal of multiple podium finishes.”
Canapino has become even more well-known in the INDYCAR community after making occasional rides in a JHR last year in his native Argentina on a promotional tour of the sport and series. The team and Cannabino performed at Buenos Aires Autodrome and Termas de Rio Hondo International Circuit during the “Indycar Show”. Their presence marked the first time an INDYCAR Series car had raced in Argentina in 51 years, with 75,000 fans (60,000 in Buenos Aires and 15,000 in Termas de Río Hondo) filling the stands to witness the historic moment.
After bringing Argentina and INDYCAR closer together in recent months, team co-owner Juncos has also confirmed a new collaboration between JHR and “Visit Argentina” to promote the country to North American motorsports fans through 2023.
“I would like to thank the main collaboration of INPROTUR (National Directorate for Tourism Promotion), the entity that promotes Argentina in the world and who believed from the first moment in this project,” said Juncos. “To permanently represent my country and promote tourism in Argentina through the INDYCAR series, including the famous Indy 500, fills me with pride and is another dream come true.”
Canapino’s INDYCAR debut season will also be supported by the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina.
1:08
What are Agustín Canapino’s steps for running the Indianapolis 500?
Ricardo Juncos, owner of the team where the Argentine will be, explained the approval system that the arreciefeño must go through to compete in the oval.
1:57
When does Agustín Canapino get into the Juncos Hollinger Racing team car?
The Argentinean will travel to the United States and in the first days of February will take part in tests in California with Dallara-Chevrolet, working with his colleague Callum Ilot.
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